"The Scream" may be a weird, unnerving piece of art — but it's also made of money, apparently. Edvard Munch did several versions of his masterpiece, and now the last remaining version in private hands is coming up for auction at Sothebys — and it's expected to pull in over $80 million.

Philip Hook, senior specialist in impressionist and modern art at Sotheby's, said: "This is one of the most important works of modern art we have ever sold."

Sotheby's believes that The Scream may be second only to the Mona Lisa as one of the most recognisable works of art, and points out that it has influenced Andy Warhol and The Simpsons.

Munch painted this version of The Scream in 1895 as the central part of his Frieze of Life series. One expert on the artist said: "He looms large in the imagination. The Scream may not look particularly striking or shocking these days, but at the time it was radical. It was all about expressing the psychological state."

This pastel version of the Scream is more vibrant and colorful than other versions, and also features a painted frame by Munch, with a poem written around the edges that explains what inspired Munch to create it.